FR2652119A1 - Method and device for general opening of several individual storage racks - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and devices for the general opening of several individual storage lockers, such as letterbox batteries. A device according to the invention comprises a one-piece assembly (1) consisting of several cells (2) and a covering frame or sock (3) which is slipped around it and which carries gates (4) arranged in front of each cell (2). A mobile frame operated by a key and a lock (91), of which only an attendant has a copy, allows the locks (5) of the gates to be blocked or released to simultaneously open them in order to deposit any object in the cells without having to open each individual lock (5).

Description

DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to a method and devices for general opening of several individual storage compartments.

 The technical sector of the invention is that of the assembly of individual boxes or lockers mounted in battery, each having a private access door by the corresponding holder, and which can all be simultaneously accessible by an approved person wishing to deposit objects in all of these lockers or boxes.

 One of the main applications of the invention is its use for the production and operation of mailboxes such as those used in collective type dwellings, essentially buildings, but the present invention can be used in all systems. lockers, linen cupboards ...

 It is known in fact that for reasons of convenience for the person who wants to deposit objects in a set of lockers, such as the postman of postal administration, is the postman who distributes the mail in a set of mailboxes , to group them in the smallest possible space by placing them side by side and in superimposed rows: the attendant must then have in front of them and accessible within reach of his hand, moving as little as possible to gain time, all boxes or lockers.

 To allow the distribution of objects, such as mail, in these lockers or boxes, they generally have an opening in the form of a horizontal slot arranged at the top of their individual door. However, these slots are often too small to allow the depositing of bulky objects, and one cannot increase their dimensions on pain of making accessible the interior of the lockers to ill-intentioned hands which could steal said objects. Also for this reason and to facilitate the distribution in itself, even for small objects especially in large numbers, the attendant for this distribution must be able to have the full possible opening of the interior volume of each locker.

 One solution is to make multi-purpose keys which allow it to open one by one all the individual locks with a single key, but this maneuver is very long for the attendant and less secure for the holders because the principle of multi-purpose keys reduces the security of each lock.

 Another solution which is, moreover, a consequence in the field of letter boxes of an official decree of July 1979, is to mount all the individual access doors on a large door covering and opening the entire front face of the assembly. lockers. This door is equipped with a lock, therefore independent of the individual ones, which only the dispenser can open.

 This latter principle has therefore been developed by numerous manufacturers, some of whom have filed patent applications for their particular production: one can cite, among others, patent application FR 2517193 filed on November 27, 1981 by the company SIRANDRE on a "set of letterboxes comprising a massive exterior frame inside which a light partitioning is introduced and in front of which a main door divided into individual doors fits. "

We also know the patent application FR 2551340 filed on 7
September 1983 for the company VISOREX on a "battery of mailboxes with full opening and single face" including a box with multiple boxes and on the dormant frame of which is articulated a collective door itself constituting a chassis on which are articulated individual gates.

 Many other patent applications have been filed to simplify manufacturing, improve strength, offer control and safety accessories, reduce cost prices ...

but always following this principle of total opening of the front face.

However, this large door has many disadvantages, the main ones being
- a significant overhang effort on the hinge forcing the recess thereof and the support structure and risking in the long run by fatigue or accident, to cause deformation of the assembly;
- a large footprint in the open position which requires the attendant to bypass to move from one battery to the next because for this reason and that above we can not achieve a main door covering more than three horizontal lockers, similarly this space does not allow use in narrow corridors and halls
- we can also note that this large leaf, due to its overhang and its size, is difficult to maneuver and requires an opening and closing effort which increases over time with deformations;
- Another disadvantage of the large door is a high risk of vandalism because its large dimensions and its configuration by definition separable from the lockers make it vulnerable to attempts to open by deformation and break-in.

 The present invention overcomes all these difficulties and all these drawbacks by proposing on the one hand a general method of opening said lockers according to a completely different and new principle, and on the other hand devices which allow the setting implementing this process.

 Indeed, the problem is to be able to simultaneously access a set of lockers or boxes or boxes, arranged in a battery and closed by individual doors, to deposit any object compatible with its volume without having to open the lock of each door, nor to move a bulky and heavy structure and while ensuring maximum security against vandalism and guaranteeing a minimum of deformation of the structural elements.

One solution to the problem posed is a method of general opening of several individual storage lockers, such as mailboxes for distributing mail in a collective dwelling.
- one fixed on any wall capable of receiving it, a monobloc assembly grouping all the cells of said compartments thus arranged in column and in row and whose front openings are entirely unobstructed,
- This assembly is covered with a fixed covering, the dimensions of which allow it to be slipped on and immobilized thereon and which comprises on its front face as many individual gates as said compartments arranged opposite the cells thereof and each with a lock,
a movable frame can be inserted between said covering and said one-piece assembly of cells, which can slide horizontally between these two parts having surface openings at least equal to those of said gates and vertical uprights on which said individual locks can be closed,
said movable frame is locked in the closed position by any system integral with said covering and comprising a security key so that it is then only possible to open and close each door with a key corresponding to its individual lock,
- said frame is unlocked with its security key and it is made to slide laterally by a sufficient distance to release all of said individual locks even in the closed position,
- We open all the gates corresponding to the compartments of the lockers to receive objects such as the mail of the holders thereof, and, when the distribution is complete, we close all the gates thus opened and we slide the movable frame back into its position closing in order to re-immobilize all the individual locks and to restore the private use of each locker accessible again by its only key.

 Another solution to the problem posed is a device for the general opening of several individual storage racks, such as mailboxes for mail distribution in a collective type of dwelling, which racks each comprising a cell are arranged in a monobloc assembly of any type, in column and in row, and which cells are accessible by the holder thanks to an individual door equipped with a lock and a key:: the device according to the invention comprises a movable frame sliding horizontally between the front face of said cells and of the gates, having openings with a surface at least equal to that of these and, of vertical uprights on which said individual locks can be closed, which frame includes safety and drive locking systems for the move and lock it in the so-called closed position, thus immobilizing all the gates which cannot be open then or closed with their individual key, either in the so-called open position allowing all said locks to be released even in the closed position and thus to open all the gates to deposit any object in said corresponding cells.

 In a preferred embodiment, all the gates are mounted on a casing, the interior dimensions of which correspond to those of the exterior of the monobloc assembly, and which is fitted and immobilized thereon.

 The result is a new process and new devices for general opening of several individual storage compartments. This method and devices provide many advantages over the systems used to date.

Indeed. as there is no longer a large leaf, the four main drawbacks mentioned above in existing systems are eliminated at the same time
- removal of the movement of this fairly heavy sub-assembly and its overhang: the risk of deformation is reduced as well as the number of parts and their movements, reducing wear at the same time;
- there is no significant space in the open position, the necessary clearance in front of all the lockers is therefore reduced and it can be used in narrow halls and corridors
- the attendant no longer has any significant maneuvers to make his effort and the precautions he must take when opening are reduced
- moreover, in the case of the preferred embodiment above, no moving part can be accessible and the outer casing in the casing limits the acts of vandalism possible.

 Beyond these cited advantages as opposed to the drawbacks already noted from other systems, the devices and the method according to the invention have other advantages such as the possibility of making horizontal assemblies of seven to eight boxes or racks of a single holding, making it possible to further reduce the number of rooms and offering the attendant all of the open lockers without bypassing obstacles represented by large leaves.

 Similarly, the user is assured of being able to retrieve a package already placed by the attendant, the opening being the same for the latter, whereas in current systems it is larger, forcing the manufacturer to add masks on pain of risking the non-withdrawal of a parcel by the user.

 We can also point out that at present it is necessary to carry out a double labeling of the lockers, on the gates on the one hand for the users and on the walls of the cells of the lockers on the other hand for the attendant who once the large open leaf, can no longer easily see which locker corresponds to each gate. In the devices according to the invention, the labeling of the cells is no longer necessary, which simplifies the management of these, for operating companies such as building trustees.

 Finally, the aesthetic line is light since there is no connection or visible moving parts, all being camouflaged by the external covering which is also called sock.

 In the following description, we describe exemplary embodiments of the method and devices according to the invention, but other embodiments can be envisaged in the context of this. The drawings, figures and descriptions are in no way limiting.

 Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a device.

 Figures 2a and 2b are sectional views of a device during assembly and once mounted against a wall.

 Figure 2c is a sectional view of a device embedded in a wall.

 Figures 3a and 3b are sectional views from above of part of the device at the door locks, the latter being in the closed and open position.

 Figures 4a and 4b are sectional side views of part of the device at the bottom of the movable frame.

 Figures 5a, 5b and 5c are front views of the three systems for moving and locking the movable frame.

 Figure 6 is a sectional view of an exemplary gate stop.

 Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a device according to the invention comprising a one-piece assembly 1 consisting of several cells 2 arranged in columns of two or more cells, and in horizontal rows of three or more such as six or eight columns .

 This assembly 1 can be made of folded and welded sheets, or in a more luxurious and more expensive version by injecting foam between the outer wall forming an envelope and those of the cells.

 This frame 1 can be light for the built-in versions as shown in Figure 2c, or more rigid for the suspended versions as shown in Figures 2a and 2b. On one of the sides of this assembly 1, a space 21 is arranged to allow the horizontal displacement of the mobile frame 6 between the front face of said cells 2 and the gates 4 mounted on the covering 3 or base.

 This movable frame 6 has openings 7 whose width is at least equal to that of the gates 4 and in number at least equal to the number of columns of cells. and the height can be equal to that of an entire column. The vertical uprights 8 separating from the openings 7 allow the blocking or unblocking of the locks 5 of the gates 4 as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b depending on whether the movable frame 6 is in the respectively closed position, ie in the example of our is shown to the right of space 21, or in the open position, or to the left. The movement of the cover can be carried out by means of a drive system which can be operated by the same lock 91 as that allowing the locking of this cover and which is associated with keys of which only the distribution agent has copies, as described for example in FIGS. 5a and 5b. The displacement can also be carried out independently of the locking and manually either by making it move from the covering 3 by a lateral slit 22, or by making an opening in the front face of this covering as described in FIG. 5c.

 The covering 3 or sock, in a preferred mode, has dimensions adjusted to those of the assembly 1 to fit around it and be immobilized, leaving just the space necessary for the frame 6. The fixing of the sock 3 on the support 1 of cells can be achieved by riveting or clipping without any visible connecting piece.

 The movable frame 6 can be positioned beforehand in the base 3 before mounting it.

 Each door 4 can therefore be opened either and only by its individual lock 5 when the movable frame 6 is in the closed position, or by displacement of this frame in the open position then releasing all of the locks 5 simultaneously.

 Each door 4 is mounted on a hinge 10 integral with said casing or sock 3 and in a preferred embodiment this hinge comprises a pin-shaped part making a loop 20 laterally with respect to the axis of said hinge, thus facilitating the disassembly and reassembly of each gate.

 These can always have a slot 29 so that people other than the attendants can slide small objects.

 Figure 2a is a sectional view of a device during assembly.

 The one-piece assembly 1 or support for the cells 2 is fixed against a wall 23 by any fixing means 24; the baseplate 3 is then threaded around this assembly while trapping between the front face 25 of said cells 2 and the backside 26 of the vertical face of the baseplate or casing 3, the movable frame 6 so that the latter is immobilized vertically by the lower and upper faces of the sock and can slide horizontally as described above.

 The individual gates 4 fitted with their lock 5 must be fitted before or after fixing the base. This or casing 3 can come into abutment against the wall 23 and thus ensure total camouflage of all the operating parts of the device of the mobile frame 6.

 Figure 2b is a sectional view of the device of Figure 2a after mounting against the wall 23. The base 3 completely envelops the assembly 1 of the cells 2, the movable frame 6 which can slide for example on a slide 11 as described in Figures 4a and 4b, and the operating parts of this frame as described in Figure 5a and 5b. The gates 4 themselves once closed on the frame 6 by their lock 5 are integrated into this base 3 and thus form a continuous aesthetic exterior surface and reducing the risk of vandalism.

 FIG. 2c is a sectional view of a device embedded in a wall 23.

 We find the same components as in the previous figures, namely the one-piece assembly 1 support for the cells 2 fixed by any known means 24 and slightly protruding from the exterior surface of the wall, the mobile frame 6, the gates 4 and the base 3 which can lean against the wall by covering and fixing itself on the part of the support 1 which protrudes from the wall, for any connection means such as riveting or clipping.

 FIG. 3a is a sectional view AA ′ from above of the device for example of FIG. 2 and that of FIG. 2c in the blocking position of the gates 4.

 The movable frame 6 is in the closed position corresponding in a preferred embodiment to a position of these vertical uprights 8 opposite the uprights 28 separating the cells 2, so that the cams 30 of the locks 5 and of the gates 4 are locked in position closed behind said uprights 8. When moving the movable frame 6 in our example to the left, said uprights 8 are released from the cams 30 as shown in FIG. 3b. When the upright 8 arrives in a preferred embodiment at the hinge 10 of the adjacent gate 4, all the cams are released and all said gates can then be opened by the attendant to deposit the packages in the cells 2.

 Figure 4a is a sectional profile view and detail of a part of the device at the lower part of the movable frame 6: in fact to facilitate the sliding thereof and to allow it to be mounted beforehand in the sock 3 before threading the latter onto the cells, a section 11 can be placed making a slide and integral with said casing or base 3 in order to allow the lower side of said movable frame 6 to be held and slid.

This profile 11 can be lined with a friction strip 12 facilitating the latter such as a material of the polyamide type.

 FIG. 4b is another example of a sliding guide profile 11 receiving the movable frame 6, the lower side of the latter being in the shape of an inverted U to fit onto said profile 11 also integral with the base 3.

 FIG. 5a is a front view of an example of a locking system which incorporates that of driving the movable frame 6 seen by transparency through the front face of the base: said single locking and driving system comprises a lock Safety 9 secured to said casing 3 and making it possible to rotate a lever cam 13 having a window 14 of elongated shape in the direction of the axis of said lock 91 and a rod secured 15 to said movable frame 6 being able to slide in said window 14 in such a way that by turning the key in said lock 91 said cam 13 drives in its rotation the rod 15 and displaces said frame 6.

 FIG. 5b is another example of a common locking and driving system for the movable frame 6 also seen through transparency through the front face of the base: in this embodiment, said system comprises a security lock 91 secured to said casing 3 covering and making it possible to rotate a toothed wheel 16 which drives a rack 17 secured to said movable frame 6.

 FIG. 5c is a third example of a drive system for said movable frame 6 also seen through transparency through the front face of the base 3 whose outline and that of the parts which are attached to it are shown in dotted lines.

 In this example, the locking system is independent of the drive system, it may consist for example of a security lock 91 secured to the casing 3 of the covering provided with a latch 31 the end of which can be housed in a notch 32 provided in the movable frame 6 for immobilizing it in the closed position; when the latch is raised with the key to the lock 91 the frame is then released. On another part of it, the drive system consists of a lug 33 which is accessible through a small light or slot 34 made in the base 3: this lug can be operated with two fingers to the right in our example to open, to the left to close said frame 6.

 Figure 6 is a sectional view of an example of a gate stopper 4: in fact, to allow the attendant to keep all the gates in the closed position when he opens or closes the movable frame, in order to facilitate these operations, he it is useful that said doors remain in this position as long as the attendant does not open them voluntarily to deposit an object in the corresponding cell. For this, in a preferred embodiment, each door 4 has a sole 19 of which a portion of its surface preferably vertical to its lock is slightly curved, and said casing 3 includes a profile 18 making a stop for said door 4, the section of the sole 181 of which is triangular in shape making a cleat on which said sole 19 of the door is braked by friction during closing and opening, and can be immobilized there.

Claims (10)

 1. Process for the general opening of several individual storage lockers, such as mailboxes for distributing mail in a collective type dwelling, characterized in that  - a monobloc assembly is assembled on any wall capable of receiving it, grouping together all the cells (2) of said compartments thus arranged in column and in row and the front openings of which are entirely open,  - This assembly is covered with a covering (3) fixed whose dimensions allow it to be threaded and immobilized thereon and which comprises on its front face as many gates (4) individual as said lockers arranged opposite the cells (2) thereof and each provided with a lock (5),  - between said covering (3) and said monoblock assembly (1) of cells is inserted a mobile frame (6) which can slide horizontally between these two parts having openings (7) with a surface at least equal to those of said gates (4 ) and vertical uprights (8) on which said individual locks (5) can be closed,  - said movable frame (6) is locked in the closed position by any system (9) integral with said covering and comprising a safety key so that each gate (4) can only be opened and closed with a key corresponding to its individual lock (5),  - said frame (6) is unlocked with its security key and it is made to slide laterally by a sufficient distance to release all of said individual locks (5) even in the closed position,  - all the gates (4) corresponding to the cells (2) of the compartments which are to receive objects such as the mail of the holders thereof are opened, and, when the distribution is complete, all the gates (4) thus closed are closed and the movable frame (6) is slid back into its closed position in order to re-immobilize all the individual locks (5) and to restore the private use of each locker accessible again by its only key.  2. Device for the general opening of several individual storage lockers, such as mailboxes for distributing mail in a collective dwelling, which lockers each comprising a cell (2) are arranged in a monobloc assembly (1) of any type, in column and in row, and which cells (2) are accessible by the holder thanks to an individual door (4) equipped with a lock (5) and a key, characterized in that it comprises a movable frame (6) sliding horizontally between the front face (25) of said cells (2) and the gates (4), having openings (7) with a surface at least equal to that of these, and. vertical uprights (8) on which said individual locks (5) can be closed, which frame (6) has safety locking and drive systems (9) for moving and locking it either in the so-called closed position immobilizing then all the gates (4) which can only be opened or closed with their individual key, either in the so-called open position allowing all of said locks (5) to be released simultaneously even in the closed position and thus to open all the gates (4 ) to deposit any object in said corresponding cells (2).  3. Device according to claim 2 characterized in that all the gates (4) are mounted on a casing (3) whose internal dimensions correspond to those outside of the monobloc assembly (1), and which is fitted and immobilized on it.  4. Device according to claim 3 characterized in that said movable frame (6) and all the operating parts are entirely covered by said covering casing (3), which frame (6) sliding horizontally between the front face of said cells ( 2) and the back (26) of the vertical face of said casing (3).  5. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 4 characterized in that said movable frame (6) slides along its lower side in a profile (11) making slide and integral with said housing (3).  6. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 5 characterized in that it comprises a single system (9) for locking and driving said movable frame, (6) which comprises a security lock (91) integral with said casing cover (3) and for rotating a lever cam (13) having a window (14) of elongated shape in the direction of the axis of said lock (91) and an integral rod (15) of said movable frame (6) which can slide in said window (14) in such a way that by turning the key in said lock (91) said cam (13) drives in its rotation the rod (15) and moves said frame (6) .  7. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 5 characterized in that it comprises a single system (9) for locking and driving said movable frame (6) which comprises a security lock (91) integral with said casing covering (3) and making it possible to rotate a toothed wheel (16) which drives a rack (17) integral with said movable frame (6).  8. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 5 characterized in that said safety locking system 9 is independent of the drive system and comprises a latch 31 the end of which can be housed in a notch 32 of the movable frame 6, which drive system consists of a paste 33 accessible through a lumen 34 formed in the base and operable with two fingers.  9. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 7 characterized in that each door (4) has a sole (19) of which a portion of its surface preferably vertical to its lock is slightly curved, and said casing cover (3) comprises a profile (18) making abutment for said door (14) whose section of the sole (181) is of triangular shape making cleat on which said sole (19) of the door is braked during friction closing and opening, and can be immobilized there.  10. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 8 characterized in that each door (4) is articulated around a hinge (10) integral with said covering casing (3) and which is in the form of a pin making a loop (20) laterally with respect to the axis of said hinge (10).